Barclays Upgrades Viasat to Equal-weight Amid Cash Flow Improvements
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 08 2026
0mins
Should l Buy VSAT?
Source: seekingalpha
- Rating Upgrade: Barclays upgraded Viasat (VSAT) from Underweight to Equal-weight as the company approaches break-even free cash flow, indicating a positive shift in financial health.
- Satellite Launch Plans: The upcoming launch of a key satellite is expected to mitigate threats from new Low Earth Orbit (LEO) competitors, thereby enhancing Viasat's competitive position in the market.
- Defense Business Potential: Barclays analysts note that a potential sale of Viasat's defense business could add significant value, further enhancing the company's overall valuation.
- Stock Performance: Viasat shares rose 4% on Wednesday, reaching an all-time high, and have appreciated 63% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with a 1% decline in the S&P 500, reflecting strong market optimism about its future prospects.
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Analyst Views on VSAT
Wall Street analysts forecast VSAT stock price to fall
6 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 62.850
Low
36.00
Averages
43.80
High
52.00
Current: 62.850
Low
36.00
Averages
43.80
High
52.00
About VSAT
Viasat, Inc. is a global communications company. Its segments include communication services and defense and advanced technologies. The communication services segment provides a wide range of broadband and narrowband communications solutions across government and commercial mobility markets, as well as for residential and enterprise fixed broadband customers. In addition, this segment includes the development and sale of a wide array of advanced satellite and wireless products and terminals that support or enable the provision of fixed and mobile broadband and narrowband services. The defense and advanced technologies segment develops and offers a diverse array of vertically integrated solutions to government and commercial customers, leveraging its core technical competencies in encryption, cybersecurity, tactical gateways, modems and waveforms. Its services are designed to provide customers with the capacity density, market access, speed, bandwidth and responsiveness they need.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Viasat Confirms Launch Date for ViaSat-3 F3 Satellite
- Launch Date Confirmation: Viasat has confirmed that the ViaSat-3 F3 satellite is scheduled for launch on April 27, 2026, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, which is expected to significantly enhance network capacity in the Asia-Pacific region to over 1 Tbps throughput.
- Orbital Deployment Advantage: The use of the Falcon Heavy rocket allows the satellite to reach a more favorable transfer orbit, where its electric propulsion system will take over to place it in geostationary orbit, thereby reducing the time to orbit and improving launch efficiency.
- Network Capacity Enhancement: The operational deployment of ViaSat-3 F3 will establish Viasat's global high-capacity network as a cornerstone, expected to provide customers in the Asia-Pacific region with more secure, reliable, and flexible services, thereby enhancing the company's competitiveness in the global communications market.
- Technological Innovation and Market Strategy: The ViaSat-3 satellites are designed with state-of-the-art technology to maximize flexible and efficient bandwidth deployment, anticipated to deliver enhanced performance for commercial mobility, fixed services, and defense customers, further solidifying Viasat's leadership position in the global market.
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- Launch Date: The Viasat-3 F3 satellite is scheduled for launch on April 27, 2026.
- Satellite Purpose: Viasat-3 F3 is part of a series of satellites aimed at enhancing global broadband connectivity.
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- Market Launch Plan: Viasat AERA is set to enter the market in early 2028, utilizing simultaneous multibeam technology designed to unlock unprecedented multi-orbit flexibility, providing airlines with greater reliability and passengers with a smoother Wi-Fi experience, thereby enhancing overall customer satisfaction.
- Lightweight Design Advantages: The AERA terminal features a low-profile design that delivers high performance with minimal maintenance demands, while its solid-state design and built-in redundancies will support a long service life, mitigate service outages, and reduce operational costs for airlines.
- Simplified Upgrade Process: Existing Viasat customers upgrading to AERA will find the hardware engineered to simplify installation, requiring no structural changes to aircraft and minimizing downtime, while also reducing weight and drag, thus helping airlines capture operational efficiencies.
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- System Certification and Options: Upon certification, Viasat AERA will be a selectable linefit option, enabling airlines to incorporate this innovative hardware directly into their aircraft configurations and future fleet planning, thereby enhancing connectivity and flexibility in airline services.
- Market Readiness Progress: At the Aircraft Interior Expo, Viasat showcased progress on the readiness of its AERA terminal for market entry planned for early 2028, highlighting innovative technologies and capabilities that will benefit both airlines and passengers.
- Strategic Milestone: Viasat's Vice President Brian Simone stated that this agreement continues the company's tradition of bringing powerful connectivity solutions to market, marking an important milestone in delivering Viasat AERA to airlines worldwide.
See More
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- Technical Evaluation Process: Viasat announced at the Aircraft Interior Expo that it has entered Boeing's technical evaluation process to assess its next-generation electronically steered antenna, AERA, aimed at enhancing airlines' connectivity capabilities in future fleet planning.
- Multibeam Technology Advantage: AERA's multibeam technology is designed to unlock unprecedented multi-orbit flexibility, ensuring stable connections across various geographies and flight conditions, thereby enhancing airline reliability and passenger Wi-Fi experience.
- Lightweight Design: AERA features a lightweight, low-profile solid-state design aimed at reducing maintenance demands and extending service life, which in turn minimizes aircraft downtime and lowers operational costs, enhancing overall efficiency.
- Software Update Capability: The terminal is built to evolve with software updates that enhance features, ensuring airlines can maintain competitiveness in their future connectivity strategies and adapt to emerging satellite networks and market demands.
See More
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- Launch Date Confirmation: Viasat has confirmed that the ViaSat-3 F3 satellite is scheduled for launch on April 27, 2026, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, which is expected to significantly enhance network capacity in the Asia-Pacific region to over 1 Tbps throughput.
- Orbital Deployment Advantage: The use of the Falcon Heavy rocket allows the satellite to reach a more favorable transfer orbit, where its electric propulsion system will take over to place it in geostationary orbit, thereby reducing the time to orbit and improving launch efficiency.
- Network Capacity Enhancement: The operational deployment of ViaSat-3 F3 will establish Viasat's global high-capacity network as a cornerstone, expected to provide customers in the Asia-Pacific region with more secure, reliable, and flexible services, thereby enhancing the company's competitiveness in the global communications market.
- Technological Innovation and Market Strategy: The ViaSat-3 satellites are designed with state-of-the-art technology to maximize flexible and efficient bandwidth deployment, anticipated to deliver enhanced performance for commercial mobility, fixed services, and defense customers, further solidifying Viasat's leadership position in the global market.
See More
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- Launch Date: The Viasat-3 F3 satellite is scheduled for launch on April 27, 2026.
- Satellite Purpose: Viasat-3 F3 is part of a series of satellites aimed at enhancing global broadband connectivity.
See More
SiriusXM and ACM Research Options Show High Trading Volume
- SiriusXM Options Volume: As of today, SiriusXM Holdings Inc has seen an options volume of 83,257 contracts, equivalent to approximately 8.3 million shares, representing a significant 231.5% of its average daily trading volume, indicating heightened market interest in the stock.
- High Strike Call Options: Within SiriusXM, the $30 strike call option expiring on January 15, 2027, has traded 18,360 contracts, representing about 1.8 million shares, reflecting strong investor expectations for future price increases.
- ACM Research Options Activity: ACM Research Inc has recorded an options volume of 19,624 contracts, equivalent to approximately 2.0 million shares, reaching 202.1% of its average daily trading volume, showcasing sustained market interest in the company.
- Bullish Call Options: For ACMR, the $53 strike call option expiring on April 24, 2026, has seen a trading volume of 2,978 contracts, representing approximately 297,800 shares, indicating that investors are optimistic about the stock's future performance.
See More
Viasat Unveils Next-Gen Satellite Communication Terminal
- Technical Evaluation Process: Viasat announced at the Aircraft Interior Expo that it has entered Boeing's technical evaluation process to assess its next-generation electronically steered antenna terminal, AERA, across all current Boeing commercial airplane programs, marking a significant alignment with Boeing's future connectivity architecture.
- Market Launch Plan: Viasat AERA is set to enter the market in early 2028, utilizing simultaneous multibeam technology designed to unlock unprecedented multi-orbit flexibility, providing airlines with greater reliability and passengers with a smoother Wi-Fi experience, thereby enhancing overall customer satisfaction.
- Lightweight Design Advantages: The AERA terminal features a low-profile design that delivers high performance with minimal maintenance demands, while its solid-state design and built-in redundancies will support a long service life, mitigate service outages, and reduce operational costs for airlines.
- Simplified Upgrade Process: Existing Viasat customers upgrading to AERA will find the hardware engineered to simplify installation, requiring no structural changes to aircraft and minimizing downtime, while also reducing weight and drag, thus helping airlines capture operational efficiencies.
See More
Viasat Enters Boeing's Evaluation for Next-Gen Antenna
- Technical Evaluation Partnership: Viasat (VSAT) has entered Boeing's (BA) technical evaluation process to assess its next-generation electronically steered antenna terminal, AERA, across all current Boeing commercial airplane programs, indicating a deepening collaboration in aviation technology.
- System Certification and Options: Upon certification, Viasat AERA will be a selectable linefit option, enabling airlines to incorporate this innovative hardware directly into their aircraft configurations and future fleet planning, thereby enhancing connectivity and flexibility in airline services.
- Market Readiness Progress: At the Aircraft Interior Expo, Viasat showcased progress on the readiness of its AERA terminal for market entry planned for early 2028, highlighting innovative technologies and capabilities that will benefit both airlines and passengers.
- Strategic Milestone: Viasat's Vice President Brian Simone stated that this agreement continues the company's tradition of bringing powerful connectivity solutions to market, marking an important milestone in delivering Viasat AERA to airlines worldwide.
See More
Viasat Unveils Next-Gen AERA Antenna for Airlines
- Technical Evaluation Process: Viasat announced at the Aircraft Interior Expo that it has entered Boeing's technical evaluation process to assess its next-generation electronically steered antenna, AERA, aimed at enhancing airlines' connectivity capabilities in future fleet planning.
- Multibeam Technology Advantage: AERA's multibeam technology is designed to unlock unprecedented multi-orbit flexibility, ensuring stable connections across various geographies and flight conditions, thereby enhancing airline reliability and passenger Wi-Fi experience.
- Lightweight Design: AERA features a lightweight, low-profile solid-state design aimed at reducing maintenance demands and extending service life, which in turn minimizes aircraft downtime and lowers operational costs, enhancing overall efficiency.
- Software Update Capability: The terminal is built to evolve with software updates that enhance features, ensuring airlines can maintain competitiveness in their future connectivity strategies and adapt to emerging satellite networks and market demands.
See More
